It was more than a quarter of a century after Wagner made his first drafts for the Ring des Nibelungen that the first cycle took place at the Bayreuth Festival. This is also the first new, Frankfurt born, cycle at Oper Frankfurt since the Michael Gielen / Ruth Berghaus/Axel Manthey Ring more than a quarter of a century ago. The long wait has been rewarded: Sebastian Weigle has received unanimous acclaim for his achievements. Wagner’s main work, still as relevant today as when it was first performed, and Vera Nemirova’s production (and Jens Kilian’s incredible stage design) is thrilling, clear, contemporary, sensitive and finds just the right balance, telling of the eternal conflict between power and love. After two cycles in the early summer of 2012 the Stage Festival returns – two more cycles to celebrate the composer’s jubilee year – Wagner’s 200th birthday - in May.